DNV GL launched a new version of the world's leading consequence analysis software tool for the process industries, Phast 7. Following the tradition of over thirty years of constinous development and innovation, this latest version introduces an array of new features for managing risk.
Improved financial performance or increased productivity for the wind industry
The management of risks from major accident hazard facilities has historically focused on safe operation rather than areas such as improved financial performance or increased productivity. But with major advances in information and communication technology and the maturing of technology in other domains, the emphasis has moved beyond straightforward compliance with safety legislation.
“Risk management is not merely about compliance with regulation, but also about improved efficiency. The use of Phast 7 has a direct impact on profit margins, in addition to safeguarding life, property and the environment. As risk professionals we know that good safety means good business,” says Are Føllesdal Tjønn, DNV GL.
“Equipment based” study structure
A typical process plant will include equipment for processing, transporting and storing a wide range of hazardous materials. Therefore, design, operation and maintenance strategies must be equipment oriented. Phast 7 has adopted a new “equipment based” study structure whereby analysis is organised to match the way the user work – thinking in terms of equipment and its function. Each equipment item can have a range of failure scenarios associated with it. The user can then introduce variations to any of the failure scenarios to account for differences e.g. small, medium and large leaks. In combination with the tabular display of data this offers a powerful new approach to complex yet intuitive analyses.
“The range of new features and improvements will further enhance Phast’s position as the most comprehensive and widely used hazard analysis software for all stages of process industry design and operation. Our users will now be able to work far more efficiently and with less complexity,” says Dr. Nic Cavanagh, DNV GL - Digital Solutions, Director of Operations, Risk and Reliability.
Phast 7 supports the latest user interface technology and best practice approaches. A tabular display of input data has been introduced for efficient editing and review of information. This allows the user to see at a glance for example a list of failure cases, making it possible to edit any aspect without the need to repeatedly open and close forms. This supports rapid study development, sensitivity analyses, forensic investigations, what-if scenario generation and emergency response planning, to name but a few applications. Phast 7 was launched in December 2012.
About Phast software
The world’s most comprehensive process hazard analysis software for all stages of process industry design and operation. Phast is used to analyse situations which present potential hazards to life, property and the environment and to quantify their severity. Consequences may then be managed or reduced by design of the process or plant, modification to existing operational procedures, or by implementing other mitigation measures.
